Portland Cheat Sheet
Free (& Cheap) Events in Southern Maine
York County - Portland Metro to Brunswick - Lakes Region - Lewiston/Auburn
1. Until there's a database, to search for specific towns/keywords, "Ctrl + F" on your desktop opens a search box.
2. Events are usually free unless marked (and all accept donations).
May 25-31, 2023

Free this week: 22 Memorial Day parades, Biddeford's Beach Bash, 6 classic car shows, Coast Guard Boat Safety Checks, Surfboard Swap, BBQ Block Party, Iris & Flower Show, Lilac Festival ($0-10), Art Walk LA, plus a Rabies/Microchip Clinic.
A few of us were lucky, but many of us were not. May your Memorial Day celebrate the living and the dead. Taryn
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Thursday, May 25
Spring Bird Walk with Naturalist, 7-8 am, Beach St., Saco
Learn to Hunt- Deer Hunting 101, 9 am-1 pm, Church Hill Rd., Augusta
2023 Maine Food Convergence Conference, ($0-230), 9 am-5 pm, Winthrop
Tiny Tigers Weekly Play Time, 9:15-10:45 am, Comm Ctr., Biddeford
Age 55+ iPad 101 (p.6), 10-11:30 am, Hub, Scarborough
Age 50+ Board Games, 11 am-1 pm, Muni Cmplx., Gray
Downtown Worker Appreciation Day, 11 am-2 pm, Monument Sq., Portland
Get Out Nature Walk- Knight's Pond Preserve, 2 pm, Cumberland
Senior Table Games Day, 2-4 pm, Falcon Rd., Lewiston
Greater Portland Council of Govts Summit, 2-4:30 pm, St. Joseph, Standish
Maine Entrepreneurs Summit, 2-8 pm, USM, Portland
Kids: Dungeons & Dragons Club, 3 pm, Library, South Portland
Kids: No-Sew Tshirt Tote Bag, 3:30-4:30 pm, Library, Brunswick
Kids: Afterschool Inclusive Music, 4-4:45 pm, Old Portland Rd., Brunswick
Environment Discussion Group, 4-5 pm, Library, Topsham
Wine Tasting, 4-6 pm, Browne Trading Mkt., Portland
Kids: Strong Girls K-4th Grade Event, 4:30-6:30 pm, Middle Sch., York
Classic Car Cruise Night, 4:30-7 pm, Lyman Variety, Lyman
Kids: How Money Works, 5-6:30 pm, Main St., S. Paris
Chamber Mixer at Bear Mountain Music Hall, 5-7 pm, Waterford
Queer Craft Workshop- Fashion Drawing 101, 5-8 pm, Eq Comm Ctr., Portland
Hardy Girls Fundraiser, 5:30-7:30 pm, Rising Tide, Portland
Watch Roller Derby Practice, 5:30-7:30 pm, Stevens Ave., Portland
Protecting Maine’s Environment- An Insider’s View, 6-7 pm, Library, Topsham
History & Future of Artificial Intelligence, 6-7:30 pm, Library, Brunswick
How to Buy a Home in Today’s Market, 6-7:30 pm, Main St., Kennebunk
Trail Run at Definitive Brewing, 6-7:30 pm, Portland
Author Talk- The Deluge, 6:15 pm, Longfellow Books, Portland
Rights of Maine Renters- Rental Housing + Discrimination 101, 6:30 pm, Library, Augusta
Author Reading- Paris, California, 6:30-7:30 pm, Library, Cape Elizabeth
Live Taping of 'Lights Out!' with Phil West, ($0+), 6:30-8 pm, Barn Swallow Theatre, Sebago
Contemporary Dance 'Beautiful Pain', ($0+), 7 pm, Opera House, Camden
Great Falls Model Railroad Club Modelers Forum, 7 pm, Mill St., Auburn
International Open Mic, ($0-18), 7 pm, Mayo St. Arts, Portland
Theater: Seussification of a Midsummer Night's Dream, ($5), 7 pm, Woodfords St., Portland
Saco Bay Gay Men's Movie Night, 7-9 pm, School St., Saco
Virtual Events
Conversations with a Hospice Nurse, 11:30 am
Making Career Choices, 6:30-7:30 pm
Historical Talk- Luis Agassiz & His Contemporaries, 7 pm
Friday, May 26
Down East Spring Birding Festival 2023, (ends 5/29; free ages <20), Trescott
Land Trust Bird Walk, 7-9 am, For All Forever Prsve, Kennebunk
Free Microchip & Rabies Vaccine Clinic, 8 am-12 pm, Holland Rd., Kennebunk
Yard Sale Benefiting Senior Dogs, 9 am-3 pm, White Pine Church, N. Yarmouth
Naturalization Ceremony, 10 am, Vet Ctr., Windham
McLaughlin Garden Lilac Festival, ($0-10), 10 am-4 pm, Main St., South Paris
Kids: Live Snake Storytime 11 am, Library, Biddeford
Women's Networking Lunch, ($0-5), 11:30 am-1 pm, Lisbon St., Lewiston
Age 50+ Laughter Yoga, 12-1 pm, Senior Ctr., South Portland
Center for Wildlife Animal Ambassador Visit, 12-2 pm, Maine Beer Co., Freeport
Weekly Balance Class, 1:30-3:30 pm, Library, Windham
Weekly Mahjong, 2-4 pm, Library, Old Orchard
Teen You-Choose-the-Movie Matinee, 3-5 pm, Library, Auburn
Women in the Arts Artists’ Awards Show + Music, 4-7 pm, Brick Store Musm, Kennebunk
Brews, BBQ & Blacksmith Pop Up (Dad's Day gifts), 4-8 pm, Island Dog Brewing, South Portland
Free Admission to Portland Art Museum, 4-8 pm, Portland
Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team Cancer Fundraiser, ($0+), 4:30 pm, High Sch., Sanford
Bachata Dancing After Hours at the Museum, 5-6 pm, MILL, Lewiston
Boating Retail & Gear Workshops, 5-7 pm, Panther Run Marina, Raymond
Opening Art Reception of 5 Female Veterans, 5-7 pm, Peace Gallery, Damariscotta
Wine & Beer Tasting During Art Walk, 5-7 pm, Vault, Lewiston
Art Walk LA, 5-8 pm, Lewiston & Auburn
BIPOC Business After Hours, 5:30-7:30 pm, Afro Taste, Lewiston
Community Art Show Opening Reception, 6-8 pm, River Tree Arts, Kennebunk
Open House & Porch Gathering, 6-8 pm, TEIA, Peaks Island
History Alive Street Dance Performance, ($0-20), 6:30 pm, Library, Biddeford
Taino Influence on Language & Culture, 6:30-8 pm, Mayo St. Arts, Portland
Bossov Ballet Theatre Performance, ($0+), 7 pm, Pittsfield
Theater: Seussification of a Midsummer Night's Dream, ($5), 7 pm, Woodfords St., Portland
Virtual Events
Muddy Ruckus Album Release Live Stream, 11 am-1 pm
Celebrating the History of Alewives & River Herring, 12-1 pm
Saturday, May 27
Play/Watch Beach Volleyball 24/7, Comm Ctr. Lawn, Westbrook
City Wide Yard Sale, ($0-5), TBA, Sanford
Spring Bird Walk 7-9 am, Ten Mile River, Hiram
Bird Walk, 7:30-9:30 am, Laudholm, Wells
Audubon Field Trip, 7:30-11 am, Wharton Pt, Brunswick
Cumberland Co. Master Gardener Plant Sale, 8 am, Presumpscot Pt Rd, Falmouth
Morris Farm Annual Plant Sale, 8 am, Gardiner Rd., Wiscasset
Weekly Bird Walk, 8 am, Wild Bird Supply, Freeport
Weekly Timed ParkRun, 8-9:30 am, Water St., Brunswick
Yard & Bake Sale, 8 am-1 pm, Village Green, Naples
Volunteer to Flag Veterans' Graves, 8:30 am, South Portland
Vessel Safety Checks by Coast Guard, 9 am, Sunset Marina, South Portland
Clark's Pond Trail Walk, ($0+), 9-11 am, South Portland
Extreme 'Murph' Crossfit Workout, 9 am-12 pm, Evolution Athletix, Saco
Join Us for Soccer Saturday, 9 am-12 pm, Kennedy Prk, Portland
Book, Bake & Plant Sale, 9 am-1 pm, Library, Sebago
Cruise-In Car Show, 9 am-1 pm, Veterans Park, Lewiston
Plant + Pie Sale, 9 am-1 pm, Main St., Denmark
Spring Plant, Bake + Clothing Sale, 9 am-1 pm, S. High St., Bridgton
Operation Ray of Light Open House, (vet suicides & PTSD), 9 am-2 pm, Lowe's, Windham
Memorial Day Observance with Brass Band, 9:30 am, Veteran's Park, Lewiston
Watch Medieval Armored Combat Practice, 9:30 am-12:30 pm, Riverbank Pk, Westbrook
Free Admission for Military & Veterans, 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Community Garden Plant Sale, 10 am, Whitman St., Norway
History Alive Street Dance Performance, ($0-20), 10 am, Library, Biddeford
Healing in Nature, An Ecospiritual Immersion, 10 am-12 pm, Capisic Park, Portland
Help Build a Fairy House Village, 10 am-12 pm, Community Trails, Arundel
River Cleanup at Saccarappa Falls, 10 am-12 pm, Westbrook
Spring Block Party, 10 am-2 pm, Thomaston
Coastal Cruise In Car Show & Live Music, ($5), 10 am-3 pm, Speedway, Wiscasset
Go! Vintage Pop Up, 10 am-4 pm, Vannah Ave., Portland
McLaughlin Garden Lilac Festival, ($0-10), 10 am-4 pm, Main St., South Paris
Generative AI Game Jam, 10 am-10 pm, Big Room Studios, Portland
Weekly Improv Group, 10:30 am-12 pm, Library, Kennebunk
Movie Double Feature, 10:30 am & 1 pm, Library, Gray
Military/Vets Event w Free Lunch & Admission, 11 am, Knox Museum, Thomaston
Spring Craft Fair, 11 am, Auburn Rd., Turner
Cookbook Club, 11 am-12:30 pm, Library, Naples
Weekly Outdoor Chess, 11 am-1 pm, Congress Sq. Pk, Portland
Year Round Free Admission to Maine Military Museum, 11 am-5 pm, South Portland
Invasive Species Work Session, 12-2:30 pm, Pleasant Hill Prsve, Scarborough
Surf Swap, Music, Art, 12-4 pm, Maine Craft Distilling, Portland
Music, 12-5 pm, Norumbega Cidery, New Gloucester
First-Ever Biddeford Beach Bash, 12-8 pm, Boucher Park, Biddeford
Growing Splendid Heirloom Tomatoes, 12:30-1:30 pm, Main St., Freeport
Rise Above 2023 Conference (mental wellness), 1-2:30 pm, Library, Biddeford
Bookbinding Workshop, 1-3 pm, Congress Sq. Pk, Portland
Listening Bodies Movement Improvisation, 1:30-2:30 pm, Adams St., Biddeford
2023 Iris & Spring Flower Show, 1:30-4 pm, Middle Sch., Auburn
Bossov Ballet Theatre Performance, ($0+), 2 pm, Pittsfield
Help Us Paint Public Art, 2 pm, Canal St., Lewiston
Movie: Semper Fi, 2-3:30 pm, Library, Portland
Opening Art Reception, 2-5 pm, Meetinghouse Arts, Freeport
BBQ Block Party- Lots of Grills, Free Samples, 3 pm, Gorham Rd., Scarborough
Opening Art Reception 'Summertide', 5-8 pm, Port Rd., Kennebunk
Music: Darren Whitney, 5-8 pm, Via Sophia, Kennebunk
Outdoor Music: American Ride, 5-9 pm, Main St., Bridgton
Weekly Table Top Gaming & Board Games, ($1), 6:30-11:30 pm, Woodford St., Portland
Independent Artists Variety Show, 7 pm, Find, Portland
Passion Toy Party + Giveaways, 7-10 pm, Homewood Suites, Scarborough
Sunday, May 28
City Wide Yard Sale, ($0-5), no times listed, Sanford
Miles for Mills 5K Military After Party + Music, 9-11 am, Landing, Brunswick
Audubon Opening Weekend Celebration (ends 5/29), 9 am-5:30 pm, Marsh, Scarborough
Free Admission for Military & Veterans, 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Weekly Coed Drop In Soccer, ($2), 10 am-1 pm, High Sch., Biddeford
McLaughlin Garden Lilac Festival, ($0-10), 10 am-4 pm, Main St., South Paris
Memorial Day Observance, 11-11:55 am, Limerick Rd., Arundel
Year Round Free Admission to Maine Military Museum, 11 am-5 pm, South Portland
Glassblowing Demos, Workshops + Dancing, 12 pm-1 am, Springpoint Tvrn, South Portland
Ukulele Lessons & Loaners, 12-1 pm, Congress Sq. Pk, Portland
Year Round Free Admission to Naval Aviation Museum, 12-4 pm, Brunswick
Soccer Finals, DJ + Nigerian BBQ, 12-7 pm, Portland Zoo, Portland
Coastal 200 Speedway Race, ($5, free for military), 2 pm, Wiscasset
Artist Talk- Bob Katz, 2-3 pm, Jewish Musm, Portland
Important Herbaceous Plants of Edge Areas, ($5), 3-6 pm, Viles Arboretum, Augusta
Jumpin Jakes Cruise Nights, 4-7 pm, Saco Ave., Old Orchard
Luminary Night to Honor Veterans, 5-9 pm, Veterans Park, Old Orchard
Scottish Country Dancing, ($0-5), 5:30-7:30 pm, Comm. House, Kennebunkport
Music: Southern Gospel Music + Ice Cream Social, 6:30 pm, Beech Hill Rd, Auburn
Silent Movie- Thief of Bagdad, 8:30-10 pm, Congress Sq. Pk, Portland
Virtual Events
Maine Boating Safety Course, ($0+)
Monday, May 29
Memorial Day Ceremony, 8-9 am, Togus Cemetery, Augusta
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 8:45 am, School Rd., Windham
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 9 am, Cape Elizabeth
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 9 am, High Sch., Lisbon
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 9 am, Topsham & Brunswick
Memorial Day Parade + Service, 9 am, Intervale Rd., New Gloucester
Memorial Day Parade, 9-10 am, Rt. 1, Scarborough
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, 9-11 am, Sanford Rd., Wells
Memorial Day Parade, 9:30 am, Dock Sq., Kennebunkport
Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony & Lunch, 9:30 am-12 pm, Sanford
Bake, Blooms, Books & Bargains, 10 am, Main St., Hiram
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 10 am, Cumberland
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 10 am, Falmouth
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 10 am, Main St., Freeport
Memorial Day Parade, 10-11 am, Biddeford & Saco
Memorial Day Parade, 10 am-12 pm, Lincoln St., Gorham
Notable Soldiers & Sailors Cemetery Tour, ($0+; free military/vets), 10 am-2 pm, Congress St., Portland
McLaughlin Garden Lilac Festival, ($0-10), 10 am-4 pm, Main St., S. Paris
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 10:30 am, Bath
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 10:30 am, Broadway, South Portland
Memorial Day Service, 11 am, Legion, Bridgton
Memorial Day Parade, 11 am, Legion, Sabattus
Year Round Free Admission to Maine Military Museum, 11 am-5 pm, South Portland
Memorial Day Parade, 11:30 am, Gray
Croman Gamers Club Memorial Day BBQ, 12 pm, Watson Mill Rd, Saco
Open House, Ceremony, Community Picnic, 12 pm, Legion, Windham
Wine Tasting, 12-2 pm, Pineland Farms, New Gloucester
Year Round Free Admission to Naval Aviation Museum, 12-4 pm, Brunswick
Memorial Day Parade, 1-3 pm, Old Orchard
Memorial Day Parade, 2 pm, Main St., Kennebunk
Memorial Day Parade + Ceremony, 2-3:30 pm, Stevens Ave., Portland
In the Garden Series- Intro to Square Dancing, ($0-10), 2-4 pm, McLaughlin Grdn, South Paris
Military/Vet Songo River Queen Boat Ride, 3-4 pm, Long Lake, Naples
Kids: Get Hooked on Fishing, 3:45-7:15 pm, Great Pond, Cape Elizabeth
Weekly Moxie Cruise Night Kick Off, 5:30-8 pm, Canal St., Lisbon
Cajun Music Drop In Jam, ($5), 6:30-7:30 pm, Main St., Yarmouth
Ukulele Open Practice 6:30-7:30 pm, Brackett Church, Peaks Island
Monday's Cheap Night Life
Tuesday, May 30
Age 55+ Drop In Coffee & Donuts, 10-11:30 am, Rec Ctr., Cumberland
Beginner Felting, 10-11:30 am, Library, Scarborough
Guided Walk with Maine Master Naturalist, 10-11:30 am, Old Field Rd., Yarmouth
Free Admission to Brick Store Museum, 10 am-5 pm, Kennebunk
Talk: 50 Years' Observation on the Area, State & Nation, 1 pm, Library, Brunswick
Age 50+ Dept of Fish & Wildlife Presentation, 1-3 pm, Comm Ctr., South Portland
Senior Live Armchair Tour of Lima, Peru, 2 pm, SeniorsPlus, Lewiston
Making May Whistles & Other Toys, 3:30 pm, East End Beach, Portland
Kids: Tent Tales, 4-6 pm, LL Bean, Freeport
Women's Literary Union Book Club, 4-6 pm, Elm St., Auburn
Kids: Grades 2-3 Art Show + Concert, 4:15-6:30 pm, Twombly Rd., Sanford
Community Sound Bath Session, 4:30-5:45 pm, Payne Rd., Scarborough
Genealogy Hour, 5-6 pm, Library, Freeport
Drop In Pickleball, ($3), 5-7 pm, Comm Ctr., Gray
Cruisin Night Car Show, 5-8 pm, Bentley's, Arundel
Yoga Flow, ($5), 6-7 pm, Comm Ctr., Saco
Yardscaping Workshop (hybrid) 6-8 pm, City Hall, Biddeford
Wednesday, May 31
Tech & Tea- Playing With Our Phones, 10-11 am, Library, Kennebunkport
Year Round Free Admission to Naval Aviation Museum, 10 am-4 pm, Brunswick
Kids' Crafty Challenges, 2-3 pm, Library, Windham
Land Trust Walk, 2-4 pm, Woods Rd. Forest, Falmouth
Kids: Washer Necklace Craft, 3-4 pm, Library, Westbrook
Bridge St. Food Park + Music, 4-8 pm, Comm Ctr., Westbrook
Basic Map & Compass Navigation, 5-7 pm, LL Bean, Freeport
Australian Rules Football Weekly Practice, 5:30 pm, Dougherty Field, Portland
Women's Fix a Flat Bike Workshop, ($0+), 5:30 pm, Diamond St., Portland
Pondicherry Park Walk, 5:30-6:30 pm, Bridgton
Community Meal, 6-7 pm, Westview Dr., Sanford
Preservation Pages Book Club, 6-7:30 pm, Fort Allen, Portland
Author Talk- Altar to an Erupting Sun, 6:15 pm, Longfellow Books, Portland
Understanding Groundwater Extraction in Maine, 6:30 pm, Elem Sch., Bridgton
Homebrew Beer Share Night, (1 beer purchase), 7 pm, CBU, Auburn
Evening with 4 Poets, 7-8 pm, Mechanics Hall, Portland
Virtual Events
MOFGA Gardening Q+A, 7-8 pm
Summer Farmers' Markets
Sunday
Scarborough, 9 am-1 pm
Lewiston, 9:30 am-1 pm
Gray, 10 am-1 pm (July)
South Portland, 10 am-2 pm
Tuesday
Brunswick, 8 am-1 pm
N. Yarmouth Artisans, 4:30-7:30 pm
(June)
Wednesday
Portland, 7 am-1 pm
Falmouth, 10 am-1 pm
Gorham, 2-6 pm
Thursday
Yarmouth, 3-6 pm
Friday
Brunswick, 8 am-1 pm
Freeport, 9 am-1 pm (June)
Harrison, 2-5 pm
Saturday
Portland, 7 am-1 pm
Bridgton, 8 am-12 pm
Saco, 8 am-12 pm
Sanford, 8 am-12 pm
Kennebunk, 8 am-1 pm
Bath, 8:30 am-12 pm
Kennebunk Artisans, 9 am-2 pm
Brunswick, 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Gorham, 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Windham, 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Standish/Steep Falls, 9 am-2 pm
Cumberland, 10 am-1 pm